The Kololo Independence Grounds were covered with colour, music, and joy on Saturday 9th August 2025 as thousands gathered for the annual India Day celebrations.
Organised by the Indian Association Uganda in partnership with the Sindhi Community Uganda, this year’s event carried a deeper purpose — to help fund lifesaving heart surgeries for more than 100 Ugandan children suffering from congenital heart defects.
The grounds filled steadily from late afternoon, with families, dignitaries, and members of both the Ugandan and Indian communities mingling in anticipation.
The air was alive with the aroma of Indian street food, the shimmer of colourful saris, and the sound of traditional drums.
As the stage lit up, the crowd was treated to amazing performances from traditional Indian dance troupes, each set telling a story of heritage and unity, drawing applause and cheers from the audience.
The music, movement, and energy set the tone for an evening that was as much about cultural pride as it was about compassion.
Mr. Santosh Gumte, Managing Director of Kansai Plascon Uganda, the main sponsor of the cause spoke with deep emotion explained why Plascon had stepped forward in such a significant way and also re-echoed this at the India day event at Kololo
“Each year in Uganda, 8,300 children are born with congenital heart defects. Two thousand of those cases require immediate intervention, and many of those children come from families who cannot even dream of affording such care. Without timely help, their lives are tragically cut short. I see those numbers, and I don’t just see statistics — I see potential scientists, lawyers, engineers, doctors, and leaders. We cannot stand by and let that potential fade away. This is why Kansai Plascon is contributing shs300 million to this cause.”
“We believe that corporate success must be measured not only by profit but also by the difference we make in the lives of the people around us. Our paint brings colour to homes, but our partnerships and community work bring hope to hearts. These children, together with their caretakers, will be travelling to India to get the surgeries they need, thanks to the generosity of so many partners and well-wishers. We are humbled to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Indian Association and Sindhi Community Uganda, and we call upon more organisations and individuals to join us so that together we can give every child the chance to grow, learn, and live to their fullest,” he added.
Mr. Paresh R. Mehta, Acting Chairman of the Indian Association Uganda,spoke warmly about the journey that brought the event to this point. His words reflected both gratitude and pride.
“When we began planning this year’s India Day, we knew it could not just be another celebration. We wanted it to be a celebration with a heartbeat, a celebration that would change lives. We identified more than one hundred children who needed urgent cardiac intervention, and we decided that this year’s proceeds must go towards giving them a new lease on life. Today, as we stand here, we are preparing to send the first batch of fifty children for surgery in India. Everything, from their medical care to their travel, will be fully covered. These families will not have to worry about a single shilling.”
He continued with an acknowledgement of the partnerships that made it possible.
“We could never have done this without the unwavering support of our partners. Kansai Plascon Uganda came forward as the main sponsor, Airtel Uganda, Uganda Airlines, the Rotary Clubs, the Healthy Heart Foundation, Namar Heart Hospital in Chennai, Ruparelia Group, Mount Meru Millers, and so many others have joined hands with us. This is the true spirit of UBUNTU. When a community comes together like this, there is no problem too great to overcome.”
The keynote address at the celebrations at Kololo was delivered by Gen. Katumba Wamala, Minister of Works and Transport, who praised the Indian community and the event’s corporate partners for their commitment to Uganda’s development.
“This evening is a powerful reminder of what partnership can achieve. The government of Uganda recognises and appreciates the immense contributions of the Indian community to our economy, our culture, and our social programmes. From trade and investment to philanthropy and medical support, you have stood with Uganda in so many ways. Tonight’s cause is deeply aligned with our own national goals, which are, improving access to healthcare, reducing preventable deaths, and ensuring that every child, no matter their background, has a fair chance at life,” Gen Katumba said.
“This is why we in government are working to strengthen our health infrastructure, to support local hospitals, and to create more avenues for public-private partnerships in the health sector. But as we can see from tonight, it is when we combine our efforts, government, corporate, and community, that we can move mountains. On behalf of the government and the people of Uganda, I thank you for this gift of life you are giving to our children.”
Upender Singh Rawat, Indian High Commissioner to Uganda, marked his third India Day in the country by reflecting on the event’s deeper significance.
“India Day is about more than commemorating India’s independence. It is a day to celebrate the friendship between India and Uganda, a bond that is rooted not just in trade and history but in shared values of compassion and solidarity. I am proud to see our communities come together to bridge borders for the sake of children’s health, and I commend all the organisers and sponsors for making this vision a reality.”
As the speeches concluded, the night shifted back to celebration. A breathtaking ten-minute fireworks display lit up the Kampala sky, reflected in the stunned faces of children and families gathered below.
The entertainment reached its peak with the first major performance by Anjana Padmanabhan, Indian Idol Season 14 finalist, whose powerful voice drew rounds of applause.
The final act was delivered by Punjabi pop superstar Guru Randhawa, who had the crowd dancing and singing along to his famous hits, closing the night on a high and joyful note.
Indian association delegations from Jinja, Lira, Mbale, and even Burundi had travelled to attend, alongside prominent Ugandan personalities, ministers, business leaders, and representatives of partner organisations.
Awards were also given out to outstanding individuals and companies that have championed blood donation and medical aid in Uganda.
